Chicken Vegetable Soup (Printable Version)
Comforting, hearty soup with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs. A perfect, easy-to-make dish for any season.
# What You'll Need:
→ Poultry
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 ounces), cut into bite-sized pieces
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 1 medium onion, diced
05 - 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
06 - 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
07 - 1 cup frozen or fresh corn kernels
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Broth & Seasonings
09 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 bay leaf
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1 teaspoon dried parsley
13 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
14 - 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
→ Optional
15 - Juice of 1/2 lemon (for serving)
16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
# Step-by-Step:
01 - In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and sauté for 3–4 minutes, until just cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
02 - Add a little more oil if needed, then add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
03 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
04 - Add potatoes, green beans, corn, chicken broth, bay leaf, thyme, parsley, black pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil.
05 - Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes, until vegetables are tender.
06 - Return the cooked chicken to the pot and simmer for another 5 minutes, until heated through.
07 - Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice if desired. Serve hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It's incredibly forgiving, perfect for those evenings when you want something hearty without a fuss.
- The way it transforms basic pantry staples into a soul-soothing meal is pure magic.
02 -
- Always err on the side of undercooking your chicken slightly during the initial sear, as it will finish cooking gently when it returns to the warm broth.
- The quality of your chicken broth truly makes or breaks this soup; invest in a good, flavorful low-sodium option to control the final taste.
03 -
- When searing the chicken, work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pot, which can steam the chicken instead of browning it.
- Chop your vegetables as uniformly as possible; this ensures even cooking and a consistent texture in every spoonful.